Box construction with stacking tab



Nov. 17, 1959 J. GOLTZ 2,913,162

BOX CONSTRUCTION WITH STACKING TAB Filed Nov, 2, 1956 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J0 sap/2 60 If:

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Nov. 17, 1959 J. GOLTZ 2,913,162

BOX cons'muc'rzou wrm s'mcxmc TAB Filed NOV. 2, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Jaseph 60/2:

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Nov. 17, 1959 sou-z 2,913,162

BOX CONSTRUCTION WITH STACKING TAB Filed Nov. 2, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.6

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. INVEN TOR.

United tes Patent 2,913,162 "BOX CONSTRUCTION WITH STACKING TAB Joseph Goltz, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application November 2, 1956, Serial No. 620,039 Claims. (Cl. 229-27) invention generally relates to a container or box construction incorporating certain features for provlding a substantially rigid box of paperboard or similar material which readily adapt-s itself to compartmentation and stackingfor shipping purposes.

An object of the present invention is to provide a box "construction incorporating integral stacking tabs or locks on the end walls thereof for locking engagement with a similar box disposed in overlying relation thereto Whereby the construction is such that the locking or stacking function will be positively maintained yet permitting easy separation of the boxes from each other when desired thereby eliminating the necessity for cutting wire straps or the like which normally are employed for encircling a plurality of cartons when shipped in stacked relation and also eliminating the undesirable feature of separating allof the cartons of a stack from each other when the encircling wire is cut.

' the box construction in assembled or folded relationship.

A further important object of the present invention is 'to-provide a box construction of paperboard or similar material which is extremely strong and rugged in construction and incorporates a bottom of triple thickness together with double thickness side walls and triple thickness end walls and double thickness partition walls with all of the elements being formed from a single blank of material of generally rectangular configuration thus providing most effective use of the material from which the box is constructed.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a box construction in which the top is provided with a'cut-out section for display purposes wherein the cut-out generally outlines the article positioned in the box.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a box construction in accordance with the preceding objects having upstanding locking or stacking tabs integrally formed with the end walls for engagement in and through slots in the bottom and end walls of the overlying carton of identical construction.

Other objects of the present invention will reside in its simplicity of construction, ease of assembly, adaptation for its particular purposes and its relatively rigid construction yet inexpensive costs.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figmre 1 is a plan view of the blank of material from which the box construction of the present invention is formed;

2,913,162 Patented Nov. 17, 1959 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the completed box;

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating the first step in assembly of the box from the cardboard blank;

Figure 4 illustrates the next procedure inassembling the box;

Figure 5 illustrates the final procedure in assembling the box;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along the longitudinal center line of the completed box illustrating the details of construction thereof and relationships of the elements thereof;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal plan sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 7-7 of Figure 6 illustrating further structural relationships of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 8--8 of Figure 6'illustrating further relationships of the elements of the invention; and

Figure 9 is a partial perspective view illustrating the stacking tabs of the present invention in use.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 14 generally designates the box construction of the present invention which is illustrated in completed form in Figure 2. The box 10 is constructed from a blank of cardboard material or any similar material which is designated generally by the numeral 12 and which is specifically illustrated in Figure '1.

The enlarged generally rectangular blank 12 includes a multiplicity of flaps, tabs and other members hingedly interconnected to each other in various ways described hereinafter.

The blank 12 includes a bottom panel 14, a rear panel 16, a top panel 18, a front panel 20, and an inner front panel 22. The front panels 20 and 22 are arranged on one edge of the bottom panel 14 with the rear and top panels 16 and 18 arranged on the other side of the bottom panel 14. Each of the panels above mentioned are connected to an adjacent panel by a fold line 24 each of which is of substantially the same construction as is well known in the cardboard box formation.

Each edge portion of the blank 12 is provided with an identical construction with the same reference numerals being employed for the same element on both sides of the blank 12. The rear panel 16 is provided with an end wallpanel 26 connected thereto along fold line 28. The end Wall panel 26 is provided with a slit 30 and also an opening '32 defined by a tab 34 which is pushed inwardly thus providing a hand opening 32 for permitting grasping of the box 10.

One edge of the end wall panel 26 is provided with a first inner bottom member 36 joined to the end wall panel 26 along fold line 38. The first inner bottom wall panel 36 'is provided with a slot 40 at the fold line 38 and centrally disposed therein for alignment with a notch 42 in the bottom panel 14.

The other edge of the end wall panel 2-6 is provided with an inner end flap 44 having an enlarged stacking tab 46 cut therefrom around three sides thereof with both the end flap and stacking tab 46 being joined to the end wall panel 26 along fold line 48.

The edge of the end flap 44 remote from fold line 48 is provided with a fold line 50 connecting the second inner bottom flap 52 thereto. The second inner bottom flap 52'is provided with a slot 54 adjacent the juncture or fold line 50 for overlying and registry with the slot 40 and notch 42. At the outer edge of'the'second inner bottom flap 52 is a center partition "wall member 5 joined to the flap 52 by'fold'line 58. I

The end edge of the front panel 20 is provided with an end lock member 60 joined thereto along fold lines 62 and having an enlarged notch 64 communicating with one edge thereof for engaging over the inwardly extending flap 34 on the end wall panel 26 for retaining the device in assembled relation as set forth hereinafter.

The fold line 24 between the front panel 20 and the inner front panel 22 is provided with an elongated slot 66 having a vertically extending portion 68 communicating with the center thereof and communicating downwardly therefrom. The slot 66 is for the purpose of receiving a locking tab 70 on the free edge of the top panel 18 for retaining the top panel 18 in closed condition. The locking tab 70 is provided with a pair of projecting end portions 72 for engagement with the inner surface of the ends of the slot 66 for retaining the locking tab in locked relation. A pair of finger openings 74 are provided along the fold line 76 which joins the locking tab 70 to the top panel 18 for facilitating the unlocking of the locking tab 70 thus facilitating the raising of the top panel 18.

An inner rear panel 78 is provided and is cut completely from the blank 12 and utilizes the area between the partition panels 56. The inner rear panel 78 is pro vided with a notch 80 communicating with the upper edge thereof which is substantially the same length as the notch or slot 68 thus being disposed in alignment therewith for receiving extending projecting portions 82 on the rear edges of the partition panel members 56 and also projections 84 on the front edges of the partition panels 56. The projections 82 on the rear edges of the panels 56 are received in the slot 80 while the projections on the front edge thereof are received in the notch or slot 68 thus retaining the partition panels in a vertical position and reinforcing the partition panels.

Each end of the inner rear panel 78 adjacent the upper edge thereof is provided with a slight projection 86 for reception behind the inner end flap 44 as well as the lock member 60. This tab 86 is disposed between the edges of the end flap 44 and lock flap 60 and the rear panel 16 thus retaining the inner rear panel 78 in position.

The top panel 18 is provided with a cut-out 88 and a transverse fold line 90 which facilitates display of the article in the box inasmuch as the locking tab 70 may be released and the top panel 18 folded along transverse fold line 90 whereby the cut-out portion 88 will project upwardly from the then upper edge of the top panel 18 which Will be coincidental with the fold line 90 thus leaving an upstanding outline of the article to be supported. In the particular illustration, an outboard motor is illustrated but it is pointed out that any article or articles carried by the carton may be shown on the top thereof. It is also pointed out that the cutout portion need not be in the shape of the article carried but may be a portion of a name or other significant shapes or arrangements for facilitating the advertisement or display of the articles carried in the box. Certain of the panels are illustrated with ventilation apertures 92 therein which may be provided if desired. It is pointed out that such ventilation apertures are entirely unnecessary with certain types of goods while with other types of goods, such ventilation apertures would be employed. Additionally, the particular shape and size of the locking tab 46 or stacking tab 46 may be altered as desired. Additionally, more than two compartments may be pro vided by changing the characteristics of the fold lines 50 and 58 and possibly adding or providing an additional length to the panels 52 and 56 thus permitting a multiplicity of upstanding partition Walls to be formed by such additional length for providing additional compartments in the box.

Reference is now made to Figures 3-5 in which the assembly of the box is shown with only one end thereof being illustrated with it being understood that the other end will be assembled in the same manner and at the same time.

The initial step assuming that the blank 12 is disposed on a generally flat surface is to bend the entire panel along the fold line 24 connecting the bottom panel 14 with the rear panel 16 and also the fold line 38 which is coincidental therewith. This will dispose all of the panels above this fold line in perpendicular relation to the bottom panel 14 and all of the panels below this fold line. This is the condition arrived at in Figure 3. The first inner bottom flap 36 is then grasped and moved inwardly into overlying relation to the bottom panel 14 by folding along fold line 28 to the condition illustrated in Figure 4.

The locking flap 60 is then moved to a position perpendicular to the front flap 20 and the locking tab 34 is forced inwardly and the front panel 20 is then folded upwardly to a perpendicular relation to the bottom panel 14 thus bringing the enlarged notch 64 into engagement with the inwardly extending locking tab 34 thus maintaining the perpendicular relation between these assembled members. In actual practice, the locking member 60 is disposed against the inner surface of the end wall 26 before the tab 34 is pushed inwardly. After the tab 34- is pushed inwardly through the notch 64, the lock member 60 cannot be moved away from the end wall 26 except by pushing the tab 34 back into the opening 42. The inner front panel 22 is then folded inwardly into overlying relation to the front panel 20 as shown in Figure 5. The inner end flap 44 may then be folded downwardly and inwardly into engagement with the lock member 60 as illustrated in Figure 5 thus bringing the second inner bottom flap 52 into overlying relation to the first inner bottom flap 36 and disposing the partition panel 56 in the vertical position for engagement with the slots 68 and 80. Before the members 44, 52 and 56 are moved inwardly into the interior of the formed box, the rear panel 78 should be inserted against the inner surface of the rear panel 16. Also, the locking tab or stacking tab 46 should be moved to an upstanding position as shown in Figure 5 if the locking tab feature is to be employed in conjunction with other boxes of a similar construction. It is pointed out that the slots 40, 54 and 42 are in alignment thereby forming an opening through the bottom of the box 10. When two boxes 10 are disposed in stacked relation as illustrated in Figure 9, the locking tab or stacking tab 46 extends upwardly through the slot or opening formed by the aligned slots 40, 42 and 54. The upper end of the tab 46 may be bent outwardly through the hand opening 32 of the upper box and then extended downwardly and inwardly through the slit 30. The slit 30 may be of any suitable shape or size and the locking tab 46 may be provided with a reduced outer end portion 94 for entering and disposition in the slit 30. If desired, a strip of adhesive material may be engaged in overlying relation to that portion of the locking or stacking tab 46 which extends through the hand opening 32 for assuring that the container 10 will be retained in stacked relation. Also, the inwardly extending locking tab 34 forms a rounded surface for engagement by the hand thus reducing any tendency of the edge of the container cutting into the hand if heavy objects are provided in the container 10.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A box construction comprising a bottom, front, rear, top and end walls, said end walls being connected to the rear wall and extending perpendicular thereto,

each end wall having a projecting flap thereon, and means on each end of the front wall for interlocking engagement with the projecting flap on the end walls thereby retaining the bottom, front, rear and end walls in assembled relation, said top wall having a free edge for detachable engagement with the front wall for selectively closing the box construction, said front wall being constructed of a pair of hingedly connected panels with the outermost panel being connected to the bottom wall and the innermost panel being connected to the upper edge of the outermost panel with the free edge thereof terminating adjacent the bottom wall thereby forming a front wall of double thickness, the juncture between said panels being provided with an elongated slot, said top wall having a tab for interlocking engagement with said slot, each of said end walls being provided with a plurality of hiingedly interconnected panels on the upper edge thereof, the first of said panels being disposed in overlying relation to the end wall, the second of said panels overlying a portion of the bottom wall, and the third of said panels extending upwardly from the edge of the second panel in spaced parallel relation to the end wall thereby forming a partition wall, each end of said bottom wall having an opening, each end wall having an upwardly extending tab for insertion through an opening in the bottom wall of the superimposed box, and means on each end wall for receiving and locking engagement with the laterally extending free end of a tab inserted through the bottom wall thereby releasably locking the boxes in stacked relation.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein each end wall is provided with a hand opening defined by said inwardly projecting flap forming a reversely bent rounded upper edge for the opening, said means on each end of the front wall including an extension having a notch extending upwardly from the lower end thereof for receiving said bottom wall having an opening for receiving the tabs of an underlying box, each of said end walls including openings for receiving the free ends of the tabs when the same are folded outwardly over the bottom edge of the opening for interlocking engagement with the tabs 7 thereby interlocking a plurality of boxes in stacked relasaid inwardly projecting flap thereby retaining the extension against the inner surface of the end wall and the front and rear walls in-parallel relation to each other.

3. A box construction comprising a bottom, front, rear and end walls, the ends walls being integral with one of said walls, and means on each end of another wall for releasably interlocking engagement with the end walls for retaining the box in assembled relation, each of said end walls having an upstanding tab, each end of tion, said opening also defining a hand opening for lifting the box.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said opening in each end wall is provided with an inwardly extending flap on the upper edge thereof with the free end of the flap disposed adjacent the inner surface of the end wall above the hand opening thereby providing a reversely bent upper edge for the hand opening whereby the upper edge of the opening will be rounded, said means on each end of said another wall being interlockingly engaged with said flaps.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein each of said end Walls is provided with a plurality of hingedly interconnected panels With the first of said panels being connected to the upper edge thereof, the first of said panels being disposed in overlying relation to the inner surface of the end wall, the second of said panels overlying a portion of the bottom wall, and the third of said panels extending upwardly from the edge of the second panel in spaced parallel relation to the end wall thereby forming a partition wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES. PATENTS 326,937 Bird Sept. 29, 1885 815,704 Hirsch Mar. 20, 1906 1,182,585 Richardson May 9, 1916 1,225,705 Dyson May 8, 1917 1,337,507 De Leomos Apr. 20, 1920 2,375,843 Gottlieb May 15, 1945, 2,401,742 Bentham June 11, 1946 2,583,673 Storey Ian. 29, 1952 2,594,628 Evans Apr. 29, 1952 2,663,485 Johnson Dec. 22, 1953 2,768,778 Ferguson Oct. 30, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,066,597 France Nov. 15, 1952 

